Blake Lively Stuns at Met Gala 2026 Hours After Dramatic Justin Baldoni Settlement

Blake Lively made a striking appearance at the 2026 Met Gala just hours after finalizing a high-profile legal settlement with Justin Baldoni, drawing significant attention for both her fashion and timing. Walking the red carpet in New York City, she appeared relaxed and confident, projecting a sense of composure despite the intense legal developments earlier in the day.

For the event, Lively chose a vintage gown from Versace’s 2006 archive, describing the design as inspired by the fluid colors of a sunrise and sunset blended in watercolor tones during her interview with Vogue. She complemented the multicolored look with a personalized Judith Leiber clutch that featured artwork created by her four children with Ryan Reynolds, adding a sentimental element to her ensemble. Her jewelry elevated the look further, including custom-designed pink sapphire, kunzite, and diamond drop earrings, along with an eye-catching 30-carat yellow diamond ring and a 10-carat pink sapphire ring, all crafted by Lorraine Schwartz.

Her appearance came on the same day she and Baldoni publicly confirmed the resolution of their long-running dispute related to their 2024 film It Ends With Us. In a joint statement, both parties expressed pride in the film and emphasized their shared intention to raise awareness about domestic violence and support survivors. They acknowledged that the process had been challenging and noted that the concerns raised by Lively deserved attention, while also reiterating their commitment to maintaining respectful and professional working environments moving forward. The statement concluded with a hope that the settlement would bring closure and allow all involved to move ahead constructively, including fostering a more respectful tone in online discussions.

The dispute had been heading toward a court date scheduled for May 18, following Lively’s December 2024 lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation—claims he consistently denied. In her filing, Lively detailed multiple alleged incidents from the film’s set and claimed approximately $161 million in damages tied to reputational harm and lost earnings, which she attributed to an alleged smear campaign. Baldoni responded with a $400 million countersuit, which was ultimately dismissed in June 2025.

Earlier in the legal proceedings, Baldoni secured a partial victory when a judge dismissed 10 of Lively’s 13 allegations in April, including claims of sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation. However, several claims—such as breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting retaliation—remained active at the time. Lively’s legal team clarified that the dismissal of the sexual harassment claim was not based on a determination of innocence, but rather on the legal classification of Lively as an independent contractor instead of an employee, which affected how the claim could be pursued under applicable law.

1. Why did Blake Lively attend the Met Gala 2026 after her legal settlement?

Blake Lively attended the Met Gala just hours after settling her legal dispute, signaling professionalism and confidence while continuing her public appearances without disruption.

2. What did Blake Lively wear at the Met Gala 2026?

She wore a stunning archival Versace gown from 2006, inspired by sunrise and sunset tones, paired with custom jewelry and a personalized clutch.

3. What was the legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni about?

The dispute was related to their film It Ends With Us, involving allegations of harassment, retaliation, and contractual issues, which were ultimately resolved through a settlement.

4. Did Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni go to court?

No, although a court date was scheduled, both parties reached a settlement before the case proceeded to trial.

5. What did their joint statement say after the settlement?

Both Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni expressed pride in their film, acknowledged challenges during the process, and emphasized their commitment to respectful workplaces and supporting domestic violence awareness.